Customer Reviews

The Greyest Of Blue Skies

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have to start this off by saying that I bought Finger Elevens previous album "Tip" only a few months ago and I am still listening to that album on a daily basis as it is very solid and has some great songs. HOWEVER, this is a new day and a new album and boy! have finger eleven done us rock fans proud.

The artists themselves have said on their website that they are very excited about the new album, and rightly so.

It is still Finger Elevens sound but it is heavier,bolder,more melodic and simply awesome.

I don't really want to comment on every single song and any highlights as every song is a highlight, but if you had to twisy my arm then I would say that "for the oceans", "stay and drown", "drag you down" and "my carosel" are my instant favourites but like I say there are no filler songs.

Finger Eleven have also shown there appreciation of other bands by including a cover of depeche modes "walking in my shoes" seeing it take on an altogether heavier and bolder approach.

In short, buy this album you won't be dissapointed.

Without a doubt, Finger Eleven is one of my current two favorite bands (Incubus being the other). I have rooted for both bands during their "moment of obscurity" whereas Incubus has broken into the mainstream and is now enjoying enormous record sales. Finger Eleven still has not. This band is fantastic, and this album is also fantastic. I will venture to say with the exception of Incubus and Staind, you are not going to find melody and aggression mix so seamlessly together. However, unlike most other entries into the nu-metal scene this album contains NO profanity, or phrases that might be deemed as offensive to women. That takes skill to pour your heart out and not give in to weak, frustrated shouts of aggression. But, what makes this album so great is that it's not a sophomore slump at all...instead it in ways improves upon their first album. The production is better and Scott Anderson's vocal harmonies became more complex...as well as James Black's and Rick Jackett's guitar work. Finger Eleven can make a heavy song without being totally devoid of melody. Actually, it seems like a rule with this band is that you can't have a song without melody...and that is a tool of good songwriting.

This entire CD can be listened to from beginning to end without having to fast forward past any of the songs. This entire album is great but there are a few songs that I'm partial to. "First Time" is a great opener...it sets the tone for the entire album. I will mention 3 others that are worthy to note. "Broken Words" is an absolutely beautiful song...how such a haunting melody and crunching guitars can be blended together is not easy and I challenge any so-called musician to reproduce Finger Eleven's sound as effortlessly. Perhaps, my favorite on this album is "Famous." How anyone cannot like this song is beyond me. If you don't like this song, you either hate rock music or do not like rock music with harmony and melody. And finally the perfect closer: "Stay and Drown." Again, an excellent song and the perfect way to end such a great album.

So, after this glowing report why only 4 stars? I would give it 4 1/2 if I could, but I'm not going to give it 5 stars like every fan would do for one reason: "Drag You Down." Unfortunately, this song has the potential to drag the album down. I feel as if this song was made to attract the nu-metal crowd. It is totally uncharacteristic of Finger Eleven's other music. While it does have great guitar riffs, there is very little melody, and the lyrics are in a word: mindless. Very monotonous, very simplistic and Scott barely even sings. I did like this song at first...but as I start to grow out of my nu-metal phase I see this song for what it really is. I can't blame them for trying to appeal to this crowd. They are far better than most bands out there and when their label spends all their marketing money on the sickening, posturing Alice-In-Chains clone that shall remain nameless...anyone would be desperate for a little self promotion. Here's hoping people will have their "arms wide open" to some REAL, original, honest music. So without further adieu, go out and support this great band.

From the opening chord of "the greyest of blue skies," one knows that finger eleven has crossed the threshold which they built with their first album, "tip." The vocals are tight, the guitars are even tighter, and the overall feeling is of an outstanding modern rock album. The main thing that puts such a rift between this sophomore effort and "tip" is consistency. Scott Anderson's vocals have gained diversity. He now can belt out a smooth vocal reminiscent of "quicksand" from "tip" as well as the Our lady Peace-esque vocal. The edge is noticable. At times, Anderson approaches Jonathan Davis' sound, especially on the track "Drag you Down." "First Time" opens up the album with a confidence and a modern rock sensibility that is rare these days. "Drag You Down" is an explosive hard rocker. "Sick of it All" is as superb as they come. The range of Anderson's vocals are on showcase here. The songs only get better from here. "For the Ocean" is another nearly flawless cut. "Broken Words" again showcases the range and the tightness of the band. "Walking in my shoes" simply rocks. The album closes strong with "Stay and Drown," a slow burning finale. The main word here is consistency. F11's new album has consistency written all over it since almost every song is a modern rock dream. From beginning to end, I filled my ears with the sound. The inconsistency of "Tip" is all but forgiven. Surely the best modern rock album of the summer.

Wow what an amazing album ... this cd is the one that everybody is looking for ! It's a great job done by the band and this time they've got HEAVIER stuff. Well, the first album named Tip is great too but less heavy than this one ... they are able to bring a lot of emotions in their songs, they have great talents. The singer's voice is perfect ... it brings a lot of things in their music. If you like heavy stuff you will love songs like "First time", "Drag you down", "Suffocate" and if you like stuff more relaxed you will prefer the songs "Walking in my shoes", "Famous" and "Bones & joints". All the songs are great, this album is for everybody, go buy it now !

One of the most amazing things about Finger Eleven is how unique they are in their genre. Anyone who has taken the time to give 'Tip' a few hours in the CD Player will know that this is a band with an enormous amount of potential and they follow it up wonderfully with 'The Greyest of Blue Skies'. The CD flows masterfully from 'First Time' till the incredibly deep and emotionally involved 'Stay and Drown'. There is an incredible amount of musical depth and emotion. Fans of 'Tip' can't go wrong with this purchase and if your looking into getting your first Finger Eleven CD I would recommend this over Tip only because it really has great progression through the tracks. This CD will transport you into a dream world that is overcast with dark rolling clouds but every once in awhile gives you just enough of a glimpse of beauty and hope to forget your cares and keep on dreaming.

Finger Eleven has created a great follow up to their first cd "Tip". I was not sure if I wanted "The Greyest of Blue Skies" at first, but when I got it and listened to it I loved every song. I have introduced many of my friends to the band and they loved them as well. So go out and get this cd.

ill start off by saying that ive listened to finger since tip first came out and i loved it and still listen to it today,and their sophomore recording is just as good if not better which you dont really see often at all,i mean the second cd hardly ever lives up to the first one but finger eleven absolutely outdid themselves.this album does come off a little harder and definately more polished and that just shows that they are growing as a band and not changing their style to wet the palletes of the "buzzworthy" generation of metal fans.anyway if you're into emocore or just good music then check this out-later

When Finger Eleven dropped their sophomore effort, "The Greyest Of Blue Skies" in mid-2000, it was sort of lost in the shuffle and hardly got any attention from radio. Most of that could be blamed for the musical climate at the time. Then, it was either Creed or Limp Bizkit, and if you didn't sound like either, you were out. Obviously, though, with the success of their most recent self-titled affair, more people are digging up this old gem and discovering what had been passed over before, even myself. I bought this album when it first came out, but didn't really give it much attention. A few tracks stuck out, but I pretty much let it get lost in a landslide of CD's. About two years ago, it re-emerged, and it has been constantly in and out of my CD player since. Following up their 1998 debut, "Tip," Finger Eleven build upon the sound they established, once again with Our Lady Peace's Arnold Lanni producing. Sonically, it's better than the first. The riffs are larger, the melodies are executed better, the production is better, overall, a better album. Hard rocking tracks like "Drag You Down" and "Suffocate" are sickeningly addictive, while other, more emotional and frail pieces like "Sick Of It All" make a louder statement. The lead-off track, "First Time" remains a favorite, as the band works with the start-stop, loud-to-quiet dynamic that other like-minded bands use, and make it their own. Other highlights include the pummeling "My Carousel" and the powerful closing track (always a tradition with F11) "Stay & Drown." Finger Eleven spans both hard-rock and alternative rock, and have a unique sound of their own. Fans of any kind of rock music could appreciate their sound. If you are new or have only heard the self-titled disc, "Greyest Of Blue Skies" is a good spring-board. You'll definitely find this album as addictive as I have.

Finger Eleven probally is my favorite band. Thier music is just incredible. They just staight up rock. Remind me a little of Quicksand. No rap...No guest Mc's...Not like thoe worst band in the whole world Limp Bizkit. These guys are awsome... and if you disagree with what I just said....I don't really care. That just means you are stupid and can't apreciat good music

They really are, all those eleven tracks on the latest album. All are stand-outs, all are great, all prove the guys' songwriting talent is extremely indisputable.

Some are probably slightly more perfect than others, you may like more First Time, or Sick of It All, or Famous, or even Suffocate, while softer and more melodic For the Ocean, Broken Words, Bones + Joints, and Stay and Drown may please you much the very next time you put the cd into your player.

The special attention should be paid to the cover of DM's Walking In My Shoes. A very personal approach to the classical pop music, still adds really much to the original.

The cd is higly recommended to anybody who likes a beautiful melodic nu-metal, who is into Cold and Staind, and all the rest good bands of these days. Simply a must-have.